People v. Delgado

2023 NY Slip Op 34724(U)

• Court: New York County Court, Westchester County
• Decided: October 13, 2023
• Docket: Indictment No. 71282/23
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

People v Delgado 2023 NY Slip Op 34724(U) October 13, 2023 County Court, Westchester County Docket Number: Indictment No. 71282/23 Judge: Maurice Dean Williams Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. -·- .-, ~ ;

FILED_ 1~ COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER OCT. 2 0 2023 ---------------------------------------· ----------------------------------x TIMOTHY C. IDONI COUNTY CLERK. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF WEST~HESTEll

-against- DECISION & ORDER

LUIS DELGADO, Indictment # 71282/23

Defendant. -------------------------------------------- ·-----------------------------x Williams, J.C.C.

The defendant is charged with one (1) count of violating vehicle and traffic law section

1192(3), driving while intoxicated as a felony, and one (1) count of violating vehicle and traffic

law 511 (3)(a)(i), aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, both

'Class E felonies.

On October 2, 2023, this Court conducted a Dunaway/Huntley/Mapp/Refusal hearing at

which the People called Police Officer Guillermo Lizarzaburu, shield# 402 from the Town of

Yorktowri Police Department and New York State Trooper Demetrios Alexeas. The People

introduced into evidence Exhibit # 1, the body cam recording from Trooper Lizarzaburu and

Exhibit #2, the body cam recording from New York State Trooper Edward Fleming, the arresting

officer. The defendant called no witnesses and presented no evidence beyond what was adduced

through cross-examination and Exhibit A, Trooper Alexeas' "DWI investigative notes". Based

upon the exhibits and the testimony received the Court makes the following findings of fact and

conclusions of law as relevant to the issues for this hearing:

Finding of Facts

The Court finds the testimony of the witnesses to be credible and supported by body cam

footage. Officer Lizarzaburu is currently a four-year veteran with the Yorktown Police

[* 1] Department and prior to that he servedin the Mount Vernon Police Department and as a Park

Ranger. Officer Lizarzaburu received training at the Academy on the detection of motorists who

were ability impaireland unable to operate their vehicle safely. He has made or assisted in

approximately three dozen DWI arrests .

. On October 31, 2022, Officer Lizarzaburu testified he was working the midnight to 8 :00

a.m. tour in Yorktown Heights, Westchester County, State of New York, in uniform and in a

marked Yorktown police car. While on patrol, dispatch reported a disabied vehicle located at the

intersection of Route 129 and Croton A venue, which is near the Yorktown border.

Officer Lizarzaburu further testified when he arrived at the location, he observed a blue

Toyota Avalon parked partially on the roadway. and shoulder. This was not a traditional parking

space and the vehicle's location would interfere with the lawful flow of traffic. Officer

Lizarzaburu testified he pulled up behind the vehicle and approached from the driver's side. He

observed defendant asleep in the driver's ~eat, with the keys in the ignition and the engine

running. Officer Lizarzaburu testified he knocked on the driver's side window approximately

twelve (12) times as part of a wellness check, however, the defendant did not respond.

Officer Lizarzaburu stated he proceeded to check the vehicle's doors and was able to

open the unlocked driver's door. When Officer Lizarzaburu opened the door, he immediately

detected the odor of alcohol and observed a bottle of beer and red solo cup in the front area of the .

vehicle. Officer Lizarzaburu attempted to awaken defendant.. The officer testified he asked

· whether defendant was okay or required medical assistance. Eventually defendant started to

grumble, and the officer detected the odor of alcohol emanating from the defendant's breath.

Officer Lizarzaburu testified he repeated "Are you OK?", "Do you know where yoµ

are?", to wit defendant responded "Earth". Officer Lizarzaburu inquired, "Where are you

[* 2] coming from~", "Where are you going to?" The defendant responded, "Earth" again. Officer

Lizarzaburu testified he requested defendant's license and was informed defendant did not have

one. Defendant was asked to step out of his vehicle. As he exited the vehicle, defendant was

unsteady and swaying and needed to ll;Se the vehicle for balance.

Officer Lizarzaburu further testified he noticed defendant had glassy bloodshot eyes, and

again asked for his license. Defendant stated, "He was that drunk", but did provide his license

number. The officer described defendant as slurring words every now and then. Finally, Officer

Lizarzaburu testified he believed the defendant was intoxicated and requested that State Police

respond since this was not within the physical boundaries of Yorktown Heights.

When the New York State.Troopers arrived on the scene, Officer Lizarzaburu spoke with

State Troopers Fleming and Alexeas providing them with the above stated information.

State Trooper Al.exeas was next called as a witness. Trooper Alexeas testified that on

October 31, 2022, he was employed by New York State Police for approximately one and a half

years. On October 31, 2022 he was working the 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. tour in and around the

Town of Cortlandt. He was in uniform, with body cam, and in a marked vehicle with his partner

Trooper Fleming.

Trooper Alexeas testified that when he arrived at Route 129 and Croton Ave., he

observed a blue Toyota Avalon parked partially on the shoulder and roadway without hazard

lights engaged and that this was not a legitimate parking space. Trooper Alexeas further testified

the way the vehicle was. positioned, it would interfere with another motorist's ability to make a

right turn at the intersection. After speaking with the first officers at the scene, Trooper Alexeas

approached the defendant who was observed leaning on the trunk of his vehicle. Trooper

Alexeas observed a bottle of beer and red solo cup inside the vehicle.

[* 3] Trooper Alexeas began an investigatory interview of the defendant. When defendant

spoke the odor of alcohol was detected coming from his breath. Defendant made several

statements throughout, including, "There's this one bottle in the car, a bottle of beer", "I had a

beverage, I'm not going to lie", "I was at Foxwoods", "I am not blowing into the machine ... you

can just arrest me", "I was headed back from Norwalk", "I'm in New York now?","---, I'm ---

inan"; "How the --- I g~t here?". Defendant further stated he drank one beer approximately four

to five hours prior.

Further, defendant stated he did not have a sense oftime and that he was on his way to

pick up his girlfriend from Westchester County Airport, on Saturday evening; unaware it was

Monday morning. Trooper Alexeas interpreted this to mean defendant was disorientated as to

time and place, which is a sign of intoxication. Defendant agreed to perform SFST.

Trooper Alexeas proceeded to administer what are known as Standard Field Sobriety

tests: a series oftests designed to determine the level of coordination and comprehension of the

defendant, as well as detect the presence of ny_stagmus in his eyes. Prior to each test, Trooper

Alexeas provided instructions and received confirmation that defendant understood how the test

would be administered. Trooper Alexeas recited his qualifications and certification to perform

such tests and testified as to his observations of the defendant's ability to perform the tests. He

concluded that defendant "failed" them in substantial (and relevant) parts. Trooper Alexeas

interacted with defendant at the scene for approximately 20 minutes. The defendant was placed

under arrest and transported to State Police Headquarters.

Trooper Alexeas read the defendant his Miranda warnings and refusal warnings. He

testified the defendant stated he understood the warnings but wished to make no statements and

would not take a breath test. En route to the station, Defendant continued to talk stating among

[* 4] other things that he did not have privileges to drive in New York, and his license had been

suspended.

At headquarters, the Trooper re-read the refusal warnings on one more occasion. The

defendant stated he understood the warnings but would not take the test. Defendant continued to

make statements while he was waiting to be released. At one point, Defendant stated he had

been advised by a friend, if in doubt, refuse to take a breath test.

The defendant was formally charged with violating VTL § 1192.3, driving while

intoxicated and VTL § 511, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Conclusions of Law:

This hearing was held.pursuant to: (1) Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643, 81 S. Ct. 1684,

[ 1961 ]), to determine whether .evidence was obtained in violation of defendant's Fourth

Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures; and (2) Dunaway v. New

York, 442 U.S. 200, 99 S. Ct. 2248 [1979]), to determine whether there was probable cause for ./

defendant's arrest, and to determine whether statements made by the defendant to the police ·

were voluntary, People v. Huntley, 15 N.Y.2d 72, 255 N.Y.S.2d 838 [1965]).

The Court finds the People have inet their burden to go forward with sufficient evidence

to establish the propriety of the initial encounter, the legality of the detention and the seizure of

. the defendant (see People v. Kaster, 69 Misc.3d 132A, 131 N.Y.S.3d 781 [2020]; People v Khan,

182 Misc.2d 83,697 N.Y.S.2d457 [1997]). The Court also finds that there was no evidence

adduced by the defendant which established unconstitutionality or impropriety warranting

suppression (see People v. Karagoz, 143 A.D.3d 912, 39 N.Y.S.3d 217 [2016]). Further, the

Court finds the defendant's statements throughout to have been spontaneous and not involuntary

or the product of coer~ion and/or unlawful detention. Finally, the Court finds the defendant

[* 5] • refused to submit-to a test of his blood alcohol after he was given sufficient warning, in clear and

unequivocal language, of the effect of such refusal as provided by Vehicle & Traffic Law

§1194(4) . (see People v. Thomas, 46 N.Y.2d 1_00,. 412 N.Y.S.2d 845 [1978], app. dism. 444 U.S.

891, 100 S.Ct. 197 [1979]).

The Court-does not find any impropriety in the Y orktowri Police Officer's response to the

scene or actions taken thereat. The responding officer's vehicle was parked behind the

defendant's v'ehicle, it was not positioned in a manner which prevented defendant from leaving

the ·area or from moving. The officer never drew his weapon. The officer had an objective,

credible reason to request information from the driver of the vehicle, and as evidence of

impairment developed, continued his. inquiry of the defendant. The Court does not find the

defendant's constitutional rights were violated by the responding officer's conduct (see

generally, CPLR § 140.10(3) [authority for warrantless arrest defined and what constitutes

geographical area]; People v. DeBour, 40 N.Y.2d 210,386 N.Y.S.3d 375 [1975]; People v.

Twoguns, 108 A.D.3d 1091, 969 N.Y.S.2d 337 [2013]).

Such is the determination of the Court and an order denying the defendant's motions to

suppress is entered hereon.

Dated: White Plains, New York October 13, 2023

Hon. Maurice Dean Williams Westchester County Court Judge

[* 6]